Fluid level control



A.` A. ASHTON ErAL FLUID LEVEL CONTROL Filed May 2l, 1948 mVENToRs ALBERT A. AsHToN HENRY c. c. LAMMERMANN ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1952 FLUID LEVEL CONTROL Albert A. Ashton and Henry C. C. Lammermann, Houston, Tex., assignors to Emsco Derrick & Equipment Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 21, 1948, Serial No. 28,395

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to a liquid reservoir having simple means for quickly varying the height of liquid therein, and is of especial utility as a means for controlling hydraulic brakes of the type employed on draw-works of well drilling rigs and the like. In this respect, the invention is an improvement on the liquid level control for hydraulic brakes disclosed in Patent No. 2,363,821 granted November 28, 1944, to Samuel W. Webster.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and effective means for controlling the height of the level of a liquid, such as water, in a container, and to thereby provide meansvfor controlling the braking effect of a hydraulicr brake connected to the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a `liquid level `control for a container `of this character which is simple `in form and .may` be easily adjusted as may be required by different conditions of operation.

It is a further object of' the invention to provide a meansfor varying the height of a column of water in a container, into which container there is acontinuous ow. of water, this control means providing an outlet` member having a mouth which extends from a point near the bottom `of the .container to a point near the top of the container, and a fiexible closure element arranged to be flexed so that, from the bottom upward, the flexible member will be progressively brought into closing relation to the mouth of the outlet member as the upper end of the fiexible member is moved toward the Aupperendofthe mouth. l 4 f Further objects and advantages of the invention will be perceived from the following part of the specification, wherein `we have describeddetails of a preferred form of the invention for the purpose of making a clear and complete disclosure without limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.v

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrativepurposes only, i

Fig. 1 is an end elevation, partly sectioned, showing a preferred embodiment `of the invention as connected to a hydraulic brake.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, to reduced scale, corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 1, showing the level control mechanism within the container.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated'by the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. A

Figs. 1 and 2 show a hydraulic brake I0 supported by a cradle II on a, base I2. Thisbrake I0 has a projecting shaft I3 provided with a clutch I4 for connection to the end ofthe drum shaft of a drawworks.

At one side of the hydraulic `brake I0 a container I5 is supported on the base I2, `thevertical height of Vthis container I5 being at least as great as the vertical dimension of the brake I0. The wall I6 of the container I5 proximal to the brake I0 is provided with threaded fittings I'I and I8 whereby the interior of the container I5 may be connected to the interior of the brake Ill. The fitting I'I is shown connected to 'the upper portion of the brake I0 by piping I9.which includes a length of flexible tubing 20, and the fitting I8 is shown connected to the lower portion of the brake IIJ by piping 2I including a fiexible tube 22 anda T fitting 23, from which extends water inlet piping 24 equipped with a valve 25.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the container I5 has i in its bottom wall a drain 2'I and a fitting 29 to which may be connected return piping` 3Q through which water from the container I5 may fiow back through to a main water reservoir or to other means of water disposal.

Within the container I5 there is a variable height overflow member 3|, the lower end of which is connected to the fitting 29, so that water which overflows through the member 3l' will be conducted to the piping 30. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the overow member 3| comprises a metal channel 32 having spaced side walls 33 and an interconnecting wall 34. The channel 3l is connected to'and extends upwardly from a face plate or flange 35 and as it extends upwardly, it curves laterally away from vertical. The `upper end of the channel 32 has a plate 35 which is secured to the upper portion of a side wall 36 of the container I5. The upper portion of the plate 35 has a pair of inwardly extending vertically disposed plates 31 providing guide means, the purpose o f which will be later explained.

The curved lips 38 of the channel side walls 33 define a mouth 39 for the overflow member, which mouth extends from a point 40 near the bottom of the container I5 to a position 4I near the upper end of the container I5. Below the lower end of the mouth 33, the fiange 35 carries va vertical plate 42 to which the lower end 43 of a flexible closure member 44 is secured. This flexible closure member 44 includes a leaf spring member 45 of a width greater than the width of the mouth 39, and on the face of the spring member 45 facing the mouth 39 a sealing member 46 is supported. This sealing member 46 consistsv of a layer of yieldable material, such as rubber or an impregnated fabric. It is held against the face of the spring member 45 by metal strips 4'I which lie along the opposite edges of the spring member 45 and are secured thereto by small bolts 48. i

When"thefflexible.closure member f44 is inxthe vertical position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, water from the interior of the container I will ow through the lowest portion 49 of the space between the closure member 44 and the lips L38 which denne the mouth 39 of the .outletmember 3|. This water will flow as indicatedhy .arrow 50 into the path of ow 5I dened byrthegchannel 32 of the outlet member 3I and will pass from the lower end of the outlet member 3l to the piping 30. Therefore, the level-'-5f2 'of thefwater 53 in the container I5 will be spaced a .short distance from the point of engagement 54 of the exible closure member 44 .with .the lips 38 .of .the .channel 32 'the exactrdistance of theilevel 52 above .the Y.point:of*engagement151i beingdetermined by .the rate .offowof waterinto 'the container l5. As the flexiblelnember'44;ispswung rightwardly from fthe position .in .which 'it is shown ,in full Llinesjtoward ".its dotted line, posi- .tion'..4.4-, .the,peintof engagement'54 of the. closure member 4.4 with the'llips 3'8- will frise, ,and when .the exibleclosure member 4'4 .reaches the rpositionshown lay-.dotted lines `4`4,,the .closure member .i414 .will..en gage .the lips..3 8 along their. full Yextentand .at Vthat `time,` the only .communication between -the ,interionof thecontainer |i and :the .ductior :.path of .ow 5 I; provided-,by the overiiow memberr3Iwill be the upper end 55 thereof. Ac- 'cordinglyn lby f swinging the flexible closure mem- .ber I.44 .between Ithe rex-treme ,positions :thereof indicated .in-`.Fig. .3,the level ,5210i the .waterr invlthe .container I 5 lmayloe :raised ..or -.lowered.

l,The invention provides simple .means fior .swingingathe ,flexiblej'closure .member A4 .between the fulglrfline t position .thereof .and vthedotted .line position/44' :thereof, `this means v'comprising .fa .screw disposed `horizontally .in rthe -upper portion of the container I.l5f.fabove lvthe .upperend .offthe flexible vclosure .member 44, this screw 4having its Yiol-ward end .51 .extending through a valve screwbearingzf mounted at -.the upper. end ,of the side wallof .the container AvI5, vhaving .the

l1rearward v.end :59-thereof disposed .between .the

guide ,platessl `whichdimit .lateral movement ot the, .rear-;end 5910i v.the-screw5t, butlpermit such ,vertical -`movement .of the .rear .enolt A.as may coeur during-fthe .operation of .the device. Threaded-.on the fscrew k'55 there is :a nut. member viihavinglaterally extendingtrunnions G I y:which engage openings :62 `inthexside plates-53 of a bracket 64 gwhich is 'secured to .the upper rend ojf --the leafY spring .mem-ber .A5, .so that the Iopeniings -iZpwill `be sfacedfaway -fromfv the rear face of thetspringmember 45 a=distancezaccomplishing a position of the trunnionsli -with -relation=to the rear faceoi theA springmember I45 .whichwill result in asubstantially.horizontalmovement of the trunnionsl -as .the lexiblexclosure .member 4.4 issWungbetweenthe fulllineand dotted line Lle() container I5, an indicator pin EB is projected upwardly from the nut through a slot 61 in the top plate 68 of the container I5. Along the slot 61 a dial plate 69 is secured to the top plate 68. Thi-s dial plate 69 has therein indicia 'I0 for .indicating .the .adjustmennof ..the .exible closure member 44-.andtherefore ,the instant water level in the container I5.

YWe claim as our invention:

1. In a variable height liquid supply means for '.use'withraliquid utilizing device, the combination yof: wallsiorming a vcontainer adapted for con- ;.nection rwith said device, inlet means for con- ..nectingfthelinteriorof the container with a source `:of.liquid wherebya iiow of liquid may be fed into the container, and an outlet in the lower portion-"of said container; and variable height outlet duct means for controlling the level of liquid in said container, comprising a channel having the lower po rtionthereof .connected to said outlet 'and"havingSlips extending upwardly and curvingpawayV from vertical,;a.iiexible merriber "adapten for "engagement `with .said lips qs`o 'as to` cooperate .with said Vchannel toform .a 4-duct, thelower endof .which communicates .with said outlet, .jsaid 'flexible member being supprtedjin upwardly extending, position. an'd with Tit-s lower end .contiguous '.to Athe i lower ,end .Qi .said-.lipsof said channel member, a screw extending inlthe upper Lportion of .said container, .a.nut on'...'the threads of said screw, `means.,c`onnecting-saidnut to :the upper Yend 'of said flexible member, :and means rcin-"the exterior oisaid containerior.ro-4 tatingrsaidscrewiso `'that sai'cl `nut -willswing the upper end Aof saidfexifble member toward and away from the upper :ends .of v.said lips.

l-2. 'In avariableheight' liquid supplymeansfor use with aliqud utilizingjevicagthe .combination of: rwalls fforming .a container .adapted Ior connection with said device, and inlet means'jfor connectingthe interior of ".the container with .a source lo`f`1iquid whereby .ajow ,of-,Iliguid .maybe fedinto'the. container; an'drvariable 'height outlet duct means `for .controllingthe .level of .liquidin said container, comprising walls ,forming apath of .'flow .of .liquid .out .of.said.eontainer,.said=wa1ls `beingjforme'd. so .as .to Vdenne a l mouth .extending froma pointnearthelower end. of said container toay point -.near the upper .end .cisaid container, .a .iexible member.'havingiits i lower ,portion .connected contiguous .to jltheQlower extremityiofsaid mouth, a. .screw .supported -in 'the .upper-,portion oisaid container, means vfor. rotating saidrscrew, aV traveling member for engagement with v...the threads .of 4.said .screw .-.so .that rotation .of .said screw willcausemovement of,` said travel-ingmem ber, and means connecting said .traveling .member ,to .-.the upper4 portion of said v.flexible .member .so-.as ,toefect movement ,ofthe upper end'ofisai'd iiexible.memberitowardiandawayrom;the.upper portionl of saidmouth, thereby rlexingsaid .flexible 4member so `Aas -to bringportions thereoiinto closing relation to said mouth,,-progressivelygupwardlyirom the lower .end of isaid lmouth and ain thismanner;determining.therlevel-iatwhichliguid may overiiow :from .the interior for-said container intofsaidoutletduct means.

3. In a variable height liquid ,supplyimeansifor usefwith a. liquid'utilizing device, -the combination of.: walls Vforming a container Vfadapted .for connection with said-device, inlet means forcennecting .the .interior of the .container :with a source of liquid whereby a flowioftliquid, may-.be fedintothe container, .and anfoutlet in .the lower portion of said container; and v--variable =height outlet duct means for controlling the level of liquid in said container, comprising a channel member having the lower portion thereof connected to said outlet and having lips extending upwardly and curving away from vertical, a resilient leaf supported in upwardly extending position and with its lower end contiguous to the lower end of said lips of said channel member, said leaf having the characteristics of a spring so that its upper end may be swung from a position close to the upper ends of said lips, at which time said leaf is curved to correspond to the curvature of said lips and to engage said lips, to a position spaced laterally from the upper ends of said lips, the edges of said leaf and said lips then defining a pair of upwardly expandingr wedge shaped ow openings, a screw extending in the upper portion of said container, a nut on the threads of said screw, means connecting said nut to the upper end of said leaf, and means on the exterior of said container for rotating said screw so that said nut will swing the upper end of said leaf toward and away from the upper ends of said lips.

4. In a Variable height liquid supply means for use with a liquid utilizing device, the combination of: walls forming a container adapted for connection with said device, inlet means for connecting the interior of the container with a source of liquid whereby a flow of liquid may be fed into the container, and an outlet in the lower portion of said container; and variable height outlet duct means for controlling the level of liquid in said container, comprising a channel member having the lower portion thereof connected to said outlet and having lips extending upwardly and curving away from vertical, a resilient member adapted for engagement with said lips so as to cooperate with said channel to form a duct, the lower end of which communicates with said outlet, said resilient member being supported in upwardly extending position and with its lower end contiguous to the lower ends of said lips of said channel member and having the characteristics of a spring arranged to be bent from a curved position in engagement with said lips and with its upper portion in engagement with the upper portions of said lips, to a position of lesser curvature wherein the upper portion will be spaced laterally outwardly from the upper portions of said lips so that the edges of said flexible member and said lips will denne a pair of upwardly expanding wedge shaped ilow openings, and a member movable laterally toward and away from the upper end of said channel and being operative to swing the upper end of said resilient member toward and away from the upper ends of said lips.

5. In a variable height liquid supply means for use with a liquid utilizing device, the combination of: walls formi-ng a container adapted for connection with said device, and inlet means for connecting the interior of the container with a source of liquid whereby a flow of liquid may be fed into the container; and variable height outlet duct means for controlling the level of liquid in said container, comprising walls forming a path of flow of liquid out of said Iontainer,

said walls being formed so as to denne a mouth extending from a lower level to a high-er level of said container, a closure member having its lower portion connected lcontiguous to the lower ex- 5 tremity of said mouth and its upper portion spa-ced laterally from the upper portion of said mouth so as to define between .the edges of said member and the lateral edge walls of said mouth a .pair of flow openings substantially from bovttom to top of said mouth and of wedge shape and expandrlng upwardly from the lower to the upper ends thereof, and `means for effecting movement of the upper end of said member toward and away from the upper portion of said mouth, thereby changing the size of said wedge shaped flow openings and determining the level at which liquid may overflow from the interior of said container into said outlet duct means.

6. In a variable height liquid supply means for use with a liquid utilizing device, the combination of: walls forming a container adapted for connection with said devi-ce, and inlet means for connecting the interior of the container with a source of liquid whereby a flow of liquid may be fed into the container; and variable height outlet duct means for controlling the level of liquid in said container comprising an upwardly extending .channel member having a laterally directed mouth and a flexible cover member having its lower end connected contiguous to the lower end of said channel member and defining, when the upper ends of said members are spaced apart, a pair of upwardly expanding wedge shaped flow openings, at least one of said members being so 36 curved that when ithe upper end of said ilexible member is moved closer to the upper end of said channel member the ilexi'ble member will be flexed and will be brought gradually into engagement with said channel member progressively from the lower end to the upper end thereof, thereby progressively raising the lower lends of said wedge shaped flow openings, and means operative from :the exterior of said container to effect relative movement of said members to- 43 geth-er and apart.

ALBERT A. ASHTON. HENRY C. C. LAMMERMANN.

H0 REFERENCES CETED D The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

